Police in Dushanbe have detained a man suspected of distributing drugs through social media using the so-called “stash” method, the capital’s Department of Internal Affairs reported.

According to investigators, the suspect, identified as Dilshod Allayev, allegedly sold narcotics online and, after receiving payment, sent buyers the locations of hidden drug caches via social media platforms.

During a search operation, law enforcement officers reportedly seized more than 17 kilograms of hashish from the suspect.

Allayev has been placed in pre-trial detention. Criminal proceedings have been instituted against him under Article 200 (4) of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code — the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs; an investigation is underway.

The arrest follows another major anti-drug operation recently carried out in Dushanbe, in which police detained members of an alleged organized criminal group suspected of drug trafficking.

According to authorities, officers seized more than 11 kilograms of hashish and 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine during that operation.

Investigators identified Jamshed Sherov, who has a previous conviction for drug-related crimes, as the suspected organizer of the group. Police allege that he coordinated drug supplies, maintained contacts with foreign trafficking networks, and determined transportation routes for narcotics.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted against the suspects under Article 200 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code for the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their analogues for the purpose of sale.